Elite Athletes Research Articles

Experience of Orofacial Injuries and Use of Mouthguards - A Survey in German Elite Sport.

This study aimed to assess the experience of orofacial injuries and sports mouthguard use in German elite athletes. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The data were collected at the Institute of Applied Training Science (IAT, Leipzig, Germany) that provides regular primary care for elite athletes. German elite athletes (18-35 years) from different disciplines with completed questionnaire on oral health in sports between May 2020 and April 2021 were included. N/A. Number of dental, oral, and facial injuries during sports career and mouthguard use (received information, ownership, frequency) were assessed and compared between disciplines with different risks for orofacial trauma. In total, questionnaires of 337 athletes (23 ± 4 years, 50% female) were included. Disciplines were classified into high (HT, n = 20), medium (MT, n = 48), and low (LT, n = 269) risk for orofacial trauma. Substantial rates of injuries were identified; especially a lot of HT athletes reported orofacial injuries (HT: 55%, MT: 31%, LT: 17%; P ≤ 0.076) and dental injuries (HT: 30%, MT: 10%, LT: 7%; P ≤ 0.028). Mouthguards were rare (HT: 25%, MT: 0%, LT: 3%). There is a need for more prevention of orofacial injuries in German elite sports for both HT and MT.

Body Image Experiences in Retired Olympians: Losing the Embodied Self

Athlete body dissatisfaction is prevalent across sports and can lead to disordered eating, negative affect, and poor mental health. Whether body image concerns persist into athletic retirement is a focus of research, predominately involving survey-based data in usually sub-elite athletic samples. This study is the first to focus on the meanings elite athletes ascribe to their bodies in retirement. We recruited 31 retired elite athletes, including 23 former Olympians, to participate in a semi-structured interview. More than 25 hours of interview data was transcribed verbatim and subject to a reflexive thematic analysis. We constructed 4 major themes to describe athlete experiences: 1) A legacy of body-conscious culture 2) The struggle for “normal”, 3) Loss of body as loss of self, 4) Towards new meanings and identities. Athletes explained how the body surveillance culture of elite sport echoed into their post-sport lives. An Olympian identity was considered an embodied identity, so body changes represented a loss of the self. Adjusting to regular eating and exercise routines was deemed challenging, with minimal access to guidance and support. Accepting the inevitability of physical changes in retirement and finding new meanings and identities, were deemed effective coping strategies. Athletes’ insights can support sport psychologists and elite sport organisations to devise strategies and policies to facilitate adaptation to body changes post-retirement from sport.

Guidelines for returning to activity after spinal deformity surgery.

Returning to activity after spinal deformity surgery is vital for patient recovery and long-term health, yet there is significant variability in postoperative protocols among surgeons worldwide. This paper aims to define guidelines for returning to activity across diverse patient groups: early onset scoliosis (EOS), adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), young adults, adult spinal deformity (ASD), elite athletes, and general sports participants. This paper provides guidelines to foster a unified approach to postoperative care, improving outcomes and ensuring patients can safely and effectively resume their activities. This paper represents the proceedings of an SRS educational CME webinar. A summary of recommendations for each patient group is included aiming to enhance surgeon practice and patient care through standardized postoperative protocols.

Centralizing an ecological sport psychology through science-practice dialectics

There has been considerable discussion for more than 50 years of how scientists and practitioners in elite level sport can work collaboratively to ensure that evidence-based practice augments the sport performance and human development of elite amateur and professional athletes. The bridging of these two, often disparate competencies, science and practice, though considered at the conceptual level, continues to be scarcely evidenced within the international sport science community. Much of the research that frames the experiences of elite athletes and their consequent needs, is heavily influenced by scientists, often without direct reciprocity to bridge science, theory, and applied context. The knowledge influencing these interventions has derived from qualitative methods, such as semi-structured interviews, surveys, and focus groups, as well as a breadth of psychometric assessments. Though these approaches to gathering robust data are a necessary part of inquiry, they often produce decontextualized data collection strategies and results, which can lead to generalized, ineffective practices in sport performance environments. Within this submission, the first author cooperated with an international team of scientist-practitioners who are well versed in elite sport to delineate ecologically sound science-practice reciprocity. The authors consider the strengths and weaknesses of conventional qualitative research strategies in terms of their utility and the parlance of evidence into intervention and world-class performance. Two emerging, context driven approaches to inquiry are proposed; arts-based methods and an idiosyncratic approach to ethnography to encourage the reader toward an expanded selection of inquiry approaches from which better understanding and intervention can be generated. This contribution conclude with summary points to open further possibilities for innovative science to practice approaches.

Familial Predisposition to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Australian Rules Footballers.

A community athlete with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is 2.5 times more likely to have a family history of ACL injury than an athlete without an ACL injury. The prevalence of family history and its relationship to ACL injury has not been investigated in elite athletes playing a high-risk sport such as Australian rules football. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between primary ACL injury and family history in professional male and female Australian Football League (AFL) players. It was hypothesized that players with a history of ACL injury would have greater rates of family history. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. All AFL players in the state of Victoria, Australia, were invited to complete a survey querying about their history of ACL injury and whether they had any immediate family members with a history of ACL injury. ACL injury history was compared in those with and without a family history of ACL injury according to sex. Completed surveys were obtained from 615 out of a possible 672 (91.5%) AFL players, of whom 410 were men and 205 were women. Of players with a history of ACL injury, family history was reported in 47% of male players (15 of 32) and 32% of female players (7 of 22). Male players with an ACL injury history were 3.19 times (95% CI, 1.55-6.76; P < .003) more likely to have a positive family history compared with those without ACL injury, and female players with an ACL injury history were 1.7 times (95% CI, 0.66-4.5; P = .2) more likely to report a family history than those without. A strong association was observed between family history and primary ACL injury history in male Australian rules football players. The same association was not statistically significant in female players.

The Training Intensity Distribution of Marathon Runners Across Performance Levels.

The training characteristics and training intensity distribution (TID) of elite athletes have been extensively studied, but a comprehensive analysis of the TID across runners from different performance levels is lacking. Training sessions from the 16weeks preceding 151,813 marathons completed by 119,452 runners were analysed. The TID was quantified using a three-zone approach (Z1, Z2 and Z3), where critical speed defined the boundary between Z2 and Z3, and the transition between Z1 and Z2 was assumed to occur at 82.3% of critical speed. Training characteristics and TID were reported based on marathon finish time. Training volume across all runners was 45.1 ± 26.4km·week-1, but the fastest runners within the dataset (marathon time 120-150min) accumulated > three times more volume than slower runners. The amount of training time completed in Z2 and Z3 running remained relatively stable across performance levels, but the proportion of Z1 was higher in progressively faster groups. The most common TID approach was pyramidal, adopted by > 80% of runners with the fastest marathon times. There were strong, negative correlations (p < 0.01, R2 ≥ 0.90) between marathon time and markers of training volume, and the proportion of training volume completed in Z1. However, the proportions of training completed in Z2 and Z3 were correlated (p < 0.01, R2 ≥ 0.85) with slower marathon times. The fastest runners in this dataset featured large training volumes, achieved primarily by increasing training volume in Z1. Marathon runners adopted a pyramidal TID approach, and the prevalence of pyramidal TID increased in the fastest runners.

Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears and FAI is Associated with a High Rate of Return to Play for Professional American Football Athletes, A Literature Review.

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with labral tear is an increasingly recognized source of hip pain and lost playing time in elite athletes, yet data pertaining to professional American football athletes remains scarce. Prognostic recommendations are largely limited to single-institution cohort studies. To date, no large-scale literature review of surgical treatment of FAI in elite American football athletes has been performed. This review article reports the prevalence, return to play, performance outcomes, and career longevity following hip arthroscopy in professional American football athletes across all orthopedic literature between 2004-2024. We hypothesize high rates of return to sport (> 85%) to the same competition level and no differences in career longevity or postoperative performance. In the last 20years, 8 studies have reported outcomes following hip arthroscopy in NFL athletes; no outcomes have been reported since the 2017 season. Return to play ranged from 79-93% and time to return ranged between 6.0-7.4months. Offensive lineman returned at the lowest rate among all position groups. There were no differences in postoperative performance or career length compared to age-matched controls. There is high rate of return to professional American football after hip arthroscopy for labral tear and/or FAI with no differences in performance or career longevity compared to control groups. Offensive lineman undergoing hip arthroscopy return to same-level competition at a lower rate compared to other football positions.

Abnormal blood pressure response to exercise and ventricular arrhythmias: a suspicious association in athletes.

Abnormal blood pressure response to exercise (ABPR) in athletes is considered a risk for incident hypertension, conferring a higher cardiovascular risk profile. We sought to describe the clinical cardiovascular features of athletes with ABPR and, moreover, the relationship of ABPR with occurrence of exercise-induced ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs). We enrolled 1460 elite athletes (56.1% male; mean age 25.8 ± 5.1 years old), engaged in skills, power, mixed and endurance sport, who underwent clinical examination, transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and exercise stress testing. ABPR was defined as >220/85 mmHg in males and >200/80 mmHg in females. ABPR was found in 8% (n = 117) of athletes, being older (P = 0.049) and presenting higher cardiovascular risk profile (obesity, P = 0.007; glucose intolerance, P = 0.043 and familiarity for cardiovascular disease, P = 0.026). Athletes with ABPR had higher prevalence of exercise-induced VEBs (19.6% vs. 11.9% in normotensive athletes, P = 0.015). Uncommon VEBs morphology was more frequent in athletes with ABPR (64.7% vs. 19% in the normotensive, P = 0.0002). Finally, in those with ABPR and VEBs, TTE revealed greater left ventricular end-diastolic diameter indexed (P = 0-006), LVEDVi (P = 0.017) and LVMi (P = 0.04) compared to those without VEBs. A not small group of elite athletes (8%) presented an exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise and exhibited higher cardiovascular risk profile compared to their normotensive counterparts. Moreover, athletes with ABPR showed higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias on effort and the combination of ABPR and ventricular arrhythmias was associated with more pronounced cardiac remodelling.

Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health

IntroductionNumerous factors have been identified that potentially influence athletes' mental health. Given the predominant focus in the literature on athletes' mental health risk factors, our study aimed to explore elite athletes' perceptions of factors associated with their mental health and thriving based on the combination of holistic developmental and ecological approaches.MethodsSeven Danish international elite athletes representing diverse sports were interviewed twice. The initial interview delved into their retrospective perspectives on career and mental health development, while the subsequent interview, conducted two months later, centered on recent events.ResultsThematic analysis yielded a map outlining four overarching themes. Elite sport was perceived as a (1) relentless performance context marked by rigorous demands, which evoked (2) personal reactions among athletes characterized by heightened expectations, self-blame, and anxiety. In response to these challenging demands, athletes have cultivated (3) coping resources and strategies over the course of their careers, such as self-reflection, emphasis on recovery, planning and prioritization skills, and passion for their sport. Nonetheless, the development of these resources and strategies was a gradual process, often informed by past experiences of mental health difficulties during adolescence. Additionally, they have found support for their mental health within a (4) nurturing environment consisting of supportive coaching, camaraderie among teammates, guidance from experts, and caring relationships.DiscussionThe findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of factors affecting mental health and emphasize the need for creating supportive environments that help athletes manage the intense demands of elite sport.

Aortic Dimension in Elite Athletes: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the presence and the extent of an "aortic remodeling" in elite athletes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (1981-2024) reporting echocardiographic aortic diameters of elite athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls. Among the 5,494 studies retrieved, 21 (9,464 elite athletes vs. 2,637 non-athlete controls) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Data were aggregated using a random effects model for estimating the pooled risk ratio and mean difference. Absolute aortic diameters at the sinus of Valsalva (AoSV) were higher in overall elite athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls (mean difference [MD] 1.69 [95% CI 1.01-2.37] mm; p <0.001) and if stratified to sex. This difference was maintained if AoSV was indexed to height (AoSV/h) (MD 0.04 [95% CI -0.00-0.08] mm/m; ES 2.18 [95% CI 1.10-3.26]; p<0.001). The analysis of AoSV/h according to sex was not performed for the paucity of studies. However, when indexed to body surface area (AoSV/BSA), no differences were found between the two groups (MD 0.04 [95% CI -0.25-0.34] mm/m2; p = 0.880), also according to sex. Above findings were not influenced by age. Absolute AoSV was mildly larger in athletes compared to non-athlete healthy controls, even when indexed to height. However, no differences were evident when indexed by BSA, irrespective of sex, type of sport and age. Therefore, assessment of the aortic size in elite athletes should consider the proper normalization in order to avoid misdiagnosis of aortopathies. CRD42024561255.

Analysis of quantile regression for race time in standard distance triathlons.

This study aims to quantitatively analyze the impact of split times on overall performance in standard distance triathlon events. It also examines how environmental factors such as water type, temperature, and altitude affect overall race outcomes. Quantile regression was employed to analyze the race records of 1,580 triathletes participating in 46 standard distance events in China. Swim time significantly influences race performance among the top 50% of elite athletes (p < 0.05). For slower elite athletes, bike time is more critical. Temperature has a positive effect on race times, while altitude also shows a significant positive impact, with race times decreasing as altitude increases (up to 1,600 meters in this study's dataset). River water enhances race times compared to still water, whereas sea water generally slows athletes down. The influence of split times and environmental factors on overall race rime varies according to the athletes' performance levels. To optimize results, training plans and race strategies should be tailored to each athlete's capabilities. Additionally, understanding and adapting to environmental conditions in advance is crucial.

Research on the champion physical fitness model of freestyle skiing aerials athletes in preparation for the Beijing Winter olympics

The objective of this study is to establish a champion physical fitness model of freestyle skiing aerials athletes, thereby enhancing athletes’ competitive ability and providing a reference for scientific training and monitoring in the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. Initiated with a literature review, the study proceeded through expert interviews and questionnaire surveys to determine the physical fitness measurement items. A total of 29 elite athletes voluntarily participated in the test. Using statistical analysis, this study developed a physical fitness model based on three key aspects: indicator, weight, and quantitative models. The results indicate that the indicator model encompasses primary indicators of body morphology, physiological function, and athletic quality, along with 11 related secondary and tertiary indicators. The tertiary indicators include lean body mass, waist/height×100, lower limb length/height×100, relative maximum anaerobic power, relative maximum oxygen uptake, blood urea, 1RM barbell squat, overhead barbell squat on balance pads, side throw ball, 30-meter sprint, and 12-minute run. The weight model assigned different weight values to these indicators based on their importance in physical fitness assessments. The quantitative model, developed through factor analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression, includes the champion physical fitness characteristics model and the performance prediction model. The champion physical fitness characteristics model uses box plots to visually present the physical fitness differences between champions and other athletes, highlighting the superior physical characteristics of the champions. The performance prediction model identified training experience, relative maximum anaerobic power, 1RM barbell squat, and overhead barbell squat on balance pads as key predictive variables. This model provides forward-looking training guidance and competitive strategy recommendations for coaches and athletes.

Injuries in Female Futsal Players: A Systematic Review.

Injuries represent one of the most challenging scenarios for both athletes and teams. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the incidence and epidemiological data of injuries in female futsal players. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases, and subsequently, nine studies were selected. The most frequently damaged area is the ankle (28.15%), followed by the thigh (19.99%), knee (18.41%), and groin (17.26%), according to an analysis of nine studies, seven of which included data on professional futsal players and four of which included amateurs. Elite (28.62%) and amateur futsal players (27.06%) experience ankle injuries almost equally, whereas amateurs suffer thigh injuries (29.41%) far more often than elite athletes (13.71%). The most common injuries are strains (27.05%) and sprains (40.6%), with amateurs suffering from sprains more frequently (51%) than elite athletes (36.44%) and elite athletes suffering from strains more frequently (29.4%) than amateurs (20%). Ankle injuries are the most prevalent in female futsal players, with amateurs particularly prone to sprains. Based on these results, professionals in this field may identify injury patterns that could guide future prevention efforts specifically tailored to female futsal players.

Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Elite Athletes

Physical activity is recommended as a strategy for promoting mental health, and it can even be integrated into treatment plans for psychiatric disorders affecting the general population. However, elite athletes are a subpopulation with protective and risk factors inherent to high-level competition and are not shielded from psychiatric symptoms and conditions. The mental health of elite athletes has been the subject of increasing attention, driven in part by the initiatives of the International Olympic Committee and the growing importance of sports psychiatry. This article is a narrative review that provides an overview regarding anxiety, in particular generalized anxiety disorder in elite athletes. Our assessment concluded that competitive anxiety may affect an elite athlete's performance in both harmful and beneficial ways. Assessing the duration, frequency, and functional impact of anxiety symptoms is crucial for ruling out generalized anxiety disorder. Elite athletes do not show a significantly different prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder compared to the general population. Identifying specific protective and risk factors can contribute to adopting more effective preventive and intervention strategies. As in the general population, psychotherapy is recommended for elite athletes as the initial treatment for this condition, combined, if necessary, with pharmacotherapy, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code.

The relationship between life satisfaction and risk preferences of couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes: the impact of mental dispositions and attitudes

IntroductionThis study examines the relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing among students not playing any sport (“couch potatoes”), recreational athletes and “dual career students”, i.e., students who are at the same time elite athletes. It addresses three closely related, yet different questions: (i) Do couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes differ in their level of affective well-being or happiness? (ii) Are there any differences in cognitive wellbeing or life satisfaction between these groups? and (iii) Are there any differences in risk preferences and attitudes?MethodsIn our empirical analysis, we use a large cross-section dataset with detailed information on nearly 4,700 students enrolled at 24 different universities and universities of applied sciences all over Germany to identify the relationship between the individuals' personalities and their life satisfaction and risk preferences using standard regression models.ResultsOur findings indicate that, first, elite athletes report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction than recreational athletes and couch potatoes. Second, both groups of athletes display higher levels of risk tolerance than couch potatoes. Third, and most important, we find significant personality differences between elite athletes and the other two groups of students that drive most, yet not all of our results.DiscussionSince dual career students are often role models for other students, universities should consider investing in their sports facilities and offering sports classes on campus to increase the athletic involvement of the general student body.

Navigating athlete development in elite sport: Understanding the barriers to the provision of performance lifestyle service in England

The English Performance Lifestyle (PL) service is a Career Assistance Program that aims to support British elite athletes in their holistic development throughout their time in elite sport to support their mental health and career prospects during and following their careers as athletes. Yet, despite the widespread existence and significant funding dedicated to this service, researchers have identified how it is often not fully embedded or used by sport organizations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to extend previous research by understanding the barriers to the provision of the PL service. Underpinned by ontological relativism and epistemological constructivism, 25 Performance Lifestyle Practitioners (PLPs) working in elite sport participated in a qualitative survey and focus groups. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were developed: There's a Mountain to Climb, It's a Crowded Train, You Need an Elevator Pitch and A Seat at the Performance Table. These themes highlight the barriers PLPs face in supporting athletes with their growth and development during their athletic career. The results offer unique insight into PLPs' roles and the challenges they encounter. As such, we offer practical implications including the importance of organizational support, encouraging athletes to develop a multidimensional identity and a variety of narratives that would offer athletes and practitioners another way to be in elite sport. We also offer recommendations for future research aimed at advancing the practice of PLPs to optimize support for elite athletes, such as including diverse perspectives and including both athlete and practitioner voice in the development of Career Assistance Programs.

The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Physical Fitness and Sport Performance – A Review

Introduction: Deficiency or insufficiency of vitamin D affects all individuals, of both sexes and all ages, and consequently brings a series of negative health consequences for them. This deficiency seems to be a very widespread problem in the population in general and also among physically active individuals and particulary in athletes. Currently, the insufficiency of vitamin D is a problem appearing worldwide. While in the population the main source of deficiencies are insufficient exposure to the sun and deficiency in the food diet, in individuals who participate in physical activity and sports it seems that the main factors are high use and depletion of reserves from muscle and adipose tissue. Vitamin D deficiency has an important role not only in bone and muscle health, but also negatively affects physical fitness and sports performance. Therefore, continuing measurement and monitoring of free vitamin D and/or its bioavailable 25(OH)D metabolites is the best way to determine the true vitamin D status for preventive reasons or supplementation in all individuals. Objectives: This review aims to highlight the current situation of the status of vitamin D, especially in subjects participate in physical activity and sports, and its importance and role in the health of athletes and in sports performance. Methods: For this review, we used the database in Scopus and PubMed, searching with key words: vitamin D deficiency - vitamin D status - elite athletes - sports performance. Full articles in English, published from 2016 to 2024, that evidenced the association between vitamin D status and health outcomes and sports performance were included. Results and Conclusions: The results of the study showed that the deficiency of vitamin D in the general population, but also in those who are actively involved in sports and even elite sports, is present at worrying levels. In different groups and populations, the deficiency factors are partly different, but the results show that the lack of food in the diet today constitutes one of the main factors that has almost taken the same weight as insufficient exposure to the sun. For physically active subjects and those involved in various types of sports, deficiencies are present at an unpredictably high rate, putting in serious danger in some cases the lives of the athletes. This comes from a low attention regarding the deficiencies of this vitamin, compared to other elements that are usually taken in the form of supplements in sports. The results show that maintaining an optimal level of vitamin D affects not only the bone and muscle health, the optimal physical fitness of physically active individuals, but also the health and improvement of sports performance (not only physical) of athletes. Therefore, the measurement, monitoring, ensuring a balanced food diet and supplementing with this vitamin, if needed, should accompany the entire course and activity of the subjects of this category in a strict and consistent manner.

Role of Nutrition and Hydration in Injury Prevention and Recovery: A Review

Introduction and Purpose: Nutrition and hydration play critical roles in supporting athletic performance, injury prevention, and effective recovery, impacting both amateur and elite athletes. This literature review explores current evidence on nutritional and hydration strategies that promote musculoskeletal health, reduce injury risk, and optimize recovery following injury. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, focusing on articles published up until the end of 2023. Keywords used in the search included: “nutrition strategies”, “hydration”, “injury prevention”, “nutrition” and “recovery”. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic and quality of evidence. Results: The review reveals that hydration plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injury and optimizing recovery. Dehydration is associated with increased muscle fatigue, cramps, and a greater likelihood of heat-related injuries, impairing physical performance. Furthermore, nutritional strategies, particularly protein intake post-exercise, are essential for muscle recovery, reducing inflammation, and speeding up the healing process. Conclusions: Implementing appropriate dietary strategies, including adequate hydration, balanced macronutrient intake, and electrolyte replenishment, can significantly reduce the risk of injury, enhance performance, and accelerate recovery times.

The Significance of U23 Competitions in Wrestling Career

Background. Designing the training of athletes should be based on specific goals and objectives at each stage of the long-term development. Each age stage in the development of an elite athlete has its own significance. The U23 competitions are organized to facilitate a smoother and more effective transition of wrestlers from junior to senior levels. The aim of the study is to determine the significance of performances in the U23 competitions for the subsequent development process of wrestlers. Materials and Methods. The following research methods have been used in the paper: the analysis of the scientific and methodological literature, the analysis of the official results, and methods of mathematical statistics. We have studied the sports careers of participants in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 World Championships in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling. A total of 1277 wrestlers’ sporting biographies have been analyzed. Results. The majority of participants (73.7 %) in the U23 age category competitions previously competed at the junior level. Moreover, more than half of the athletes (58.4 %) had prior experience of participating in cadet competitions. It is worth noting that 63.7 % of all wrestlers participated in senior-level competitions, and 31.5 % of them achieved podium finishes. Among women, a higher percentage of athletes continue their careers (46.3 %) and achieve success (20.1 %) on the international stage after the U23 competitions. For male freestyle wrestlers, the figures are lower, with only 38.2 % continuing their careers. Conclusion. The analysis demonstrated that the U23 competitions, which serve as a continuation of the cadet and junior age groups, are part of the overall sequence of competitions in the development of wrestlers at the international level. However, the importance of the U23 competitions varies depending on the level of athletes, and they serve both as preparatory and main competitions within the athletes' training system.

Hight return-to-sport rate following traumatic spine injury in amateur athletes

IntroductionData on the resumption of sporting activity (return-to-sport, RTS) after traumatic spine injuries are mainly available for elite athletes. This study aimed to determine the RTS rate in amateurs after spine injury and to identify factors possibly influencing RTS.MethodsFirst, a retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients with traumatic spine injuries receiving inpatient treatment at a national trauma center from 2016 to 2020 was performed. Patients up to the age of 60 who were active in sports before the injury were included. Patients with the following relevant concomitant injuries were excluded: spinal cord injury, pelvic injury, extremity injuries, as well as craniocerebral trauma grade 2 or higher. A telephone interview on participants’ RTS within the first year after the injury was conducted. Participants with early and those with late or no RTS were compared in univariate analysis regarding potential influencing factors. The level of significance was set to p < .05.ResultsThirty-seven women (39%) and 57 men (61%) were included. The mean age was 44 years (16–60). The numbers of patients per injured segment of the spine were: cervical 15 (16%), thoracic 28 (30%), lumbar 33 (35%), multiple spine segments 18 (19%). Thirty patients (32%) were treated conservatively and 64 (68%) surgically. The RTS rate after six months was 62%, corresponding to 57 patients. Compared to patients with late or no RTS, patients with RTS within six months had a significantly lower BMI (24.6 vs. 27.4 kg/qm, p = .004), had isolated cervical spine injuries significantly more often (24% vs. 6%, p = .020), and had undergone outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation significantly less often (35% vs. 72%, p < .001). There were non-significant trends regarding mean age (42 vs. 46 years, p = .175), surgical therapy (66% vs. 75%, p = .333), and the proportion of patients who, before the injury, had been physically active for at least five hours per week (50% vs. 33%, p = .113). Patients with RTS within six months had sustained their spinal injury in a sports accident twice as often (28% vs. 14%, p = .121). Gender, preexisting medical or spinal conditions, severe injuries (types A4, B or C according to AO Spine), and surgical therapy were not significantly associated with RTS. The RTS rate within twelve months was 81% (76 patients).ConclusionThe RTS rate in amateur athletes after an isolated spinal injury without spinal cord injury was high, with 62% after six and 81% after twelve months. This reflects the effectiveness of the existing treatment and posttreatment concepts. Normal-weight patients and isolated cervical injury are favorable factors for RTS. The use of inpatient rehabilitation as a marker of protracted healing is associated with delayed or no RTS.